Liquid container with multiple openings

ABSTRACT

Liquid containers featuring multiple apertures for accessing the contents in one of a number of selected fashions. In one illustrative embodiment, the container is shaped as a bottle, having a body and neck, with a first aperture at the top of the neck. A flat bottom or base opposite the neck features at least one aperture, such as a traditional soda can opening with a scored section and a tab. In some embodiments, the bottom includes multiple apertures of different sizes, allowing for the selection of an aperture of desired size for a particular application. In some embodiments, the entire bottom may function as a removable lid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/808,414, filed May 25, 2006, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to liquid and beveragecontainers and, more particularly, to containers for liquids that havemultiple apertures.

BACKGROUND

Single opening liquid containers typically utilize a single large holefor venting the liquid to be dispensed. This single large hole is oftena bottle opening at the top of a narrowed neck, or a single can opening.A problem with dispensing from a single apertured beverage container isthat the flow of liquid may be limited by flow friction caused by aninadequate air supply, especially when the container is in the pouringposition. The usual small elliptical openings may cause a surging orrestricted flow, as outside air, which needs to enter the containerduring the outward flow of a liquid, such as a beverage, competes forthe small space provided by the single opening. This forces an extensiverelease of carbonation, often resulting in a foam head on the beverage.Where the liquid is not a beverage, but is viscous, this can force thecontainer to “gulp” or repeatedly contract then bulge outward as air istaken in, as with dispensing oil from a typical one-quart plasticcontainer.

In order to facilitate a more controlled, efficient, even flow rate, asecond aperture is desirable in the container, especially for beveragesthat are carbonated or malt beverages, such as beer. A container withboth a pouring aperture and a venting aperture in the exterior surfaceof the can may be a valuable combination, allowing for foam reductiondue to the increased venting and air flow that allows users to drinktheir carbonated or malt beverages quickly without the resulting feelingof bloating and upset stomach caused by consuming a large foam head asfrom traditional beverage containers.

Numerous devices are disclosed which attempt to address this ventingproblem. Generally, these devices are directed to cans for containingbeverages. Some provide for two openings on the top of a can, one forpouring and one for venting. Such devices include those disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,494,184, issued in the name of Noguchi et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,397,014, issued in the name of Aydt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,919,issued in the name of Recchia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,037, issued in thename of Moen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,597, issued in the name ofHanafusa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,306, issued in the name of Kelsey et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,212, issued in the name of Brown, U.S. Pat. No.3,662,914, issued in the name of Slade, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,168,issued in the name of Fraze. The disclosure of each of these patents isincorporated by reference directly herein.

U.S. Patent 6,015,060 to Rightenour, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein, attempts to address this situation by providing abeverage can which has a second opening in a sidewall, or on the bottomof the can. However, this container still fails to resolve certainissues. For example, opening both apertures may cause liquid to rapidlydispense from the can, resulting in spillage. Additionally, the singlesize of the opening does not allow for selection of the appropriate sizefor the specific application. Further, since no opening is located in acenter of a surface, or on an elongated neck, it is difficult to createa seal around the opening.

Consequently, a liquid dispensing container that provided multipledispensing methods from a single container for different customers wouldbe an improvement in the art.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes liquid containers which feature multipleapertures for accessing the contents in one of a number of selectedfashions. In one illustrative embodiment, the container is shaped as abottle, having a body and neck, with a first aperture at the top of theneck. A flat bottom or base opposite the neck features at least oneaperture, such as a traditional “soda can” opening with a scored sectionand a tab. In some embodiments, the bottom includes multiple aperturesof different sizes, allowing for the selection of an aperture of desiredsize for a particular application. In some embodiments, the entirebottom may function as a removable lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that thevarious drawings are for illustrative purposes only. The nature of thepresent invention, as well as other embodiments of the presentinvention, may be more clearly understood by reference to the followingdetailed description of the invention, to the appended claims, to theappendix attached hereto, and to the several drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevated side view of a first embodiment of a container inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A through 2C are bottom perspective views for one alternativeembodiment of a bottom for a container in accordance with the principlesof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of a bottom fora container in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of a bottomfor a container in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A showingactuation of one of the two apertures depicted therein.

FIG. 4D is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4E is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A showingactuation of a second aperture depicted therein.

FIG. 4F is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4E.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of another alternative embodiment of acontainer in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another alternative embodimentof a container in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to containers for dispensing liquids,which feature more than one aperture for accessing the contents thereof.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodimentsherein described, while illustrative, are not intended to so limit theinvention or the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the artwill also understand that various combinations or modifications of theembodiments presented herein can be made without departing from thescope of the invention. All such alternate embodiments are within thescope of the present invention. Similarly, while the drawings depictillustrative embodiments of the devices and components in accordancewith the present invention and illustrate the principles upon which thedevice is based, they are only illustrative and any modification of theinvented features presented here is to be considered within the scope ofthis invention.

FIG. 1 depicts one illustrative embodiment of a container in accordancewith the principles of the present invention. A container 10 is depictedas having a generally columnar body 102 with a round cross-section and anarrowed neck 104 leading to a top aperture 106. In the depictedembodiment, the narrowed neck is topped off by a crown cork 107 or“bottle cap.” This requires the distal end of narrow neck 104 to includesuitable structures for the releasable attachment of the crown cork 107thereto, as known to those of skill in the art. Examples of suchsuitable structures may include lips or suitable threads to which thecrown cap may be crimped. It will be appreciated that, as discussed inother embodiments, top aperture 106 may be closed by other methods, suchas threaded caps, including lug style caps, and twist close caps.Although depicted as having a round cross-section, it will beappreciated that, in other embodiments, the container 10 may have anydesired cross-sectional shape, including polygons and irregularcross-sections.

As depicted, container 10 features a bottom 108, which generally forms abase. Bottom 108 may include an outer ridge or rim 110 which forms abase for supporting the container 10 when placed on a flat surface, suchas a shelf or table. Inside rim 110, the bottom 108 of the can may beformed as a recessed flat surface 112. At least one lower aperture 120is disposed on the surface 112. As depicted, the lower aperture 120 maybe formed as a traditional “soda can” opening, featuring a scoredsection 121, which may be forced inwards, fracturing the surface 112along the scored line 123. A tab 122 is attached to a central post 125and may be used as a lever to force the lower aperture 120 open.

As depicted, the embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a single lower aperture120. Where the container 10 is used as a beverage container, this allowsa user to either remove the bottle cap 107 and drink from the containeras if it were a bottle, or to invert the container, and drink from it asa standard beverage can. For rapid dispensing, as at a party, oneaperture, such as the upper aperture 106 may be opened (by removal ofbottle cap 107), and the container inverted over a receptacle. Thesecond opening, such as lower aperture 120, may then be opened, allowingliquid contents to be rapidly dispensed as air enters the container 10from above the liquid contents.

For use as a beverage dispensing container, container 10 may be formedfrom any suitable material, such as aluminum, steel, tin, or othermetal, or from a plastic material. Container 10 may be constructed usingtraditional can construction techniques. For example, the container 10may be formed by attaching a bottom piece to close an open end of ahollow cylinder to form a bottom 108, including the structures discussedherein. Such a hollow cylinder may include neck 104, or the body 102including neck 104 could be formed by attaching a top piece whichincludes neck 104 to the other open end of the hollow cylinder, asindicated by the seam 150 in FIG. 1, showing the attachment of such atop piece.

Where the container 10, is used for non-potable liquids, the neckportion 104 may be utilized as a funnel. For example, if the container10 holds a viscous liquid, such as motor oil, the cap may be removed andthe neck used to insert into a narrow opening, such as an engine blockoil reservoir. Opening lower aperture 120 allows the viscous liquid toflow out without “gulping” or spattering of the liquid.

Turning to FIGS. 2A through 2C, a second embodiment of a bottom for acontainer 10 in accordance with the principles of the present inventionis depicted. It will be appreciated that, although described in relationto container 10, the depicted bottom may also be used as a multipleapertured end for a liquid container, such as a soda can. As bestdepicted in FIG. 2A, a bottom surface 212 may have multiple openings.Two separate scored sections 220A and 220B may extend opposite oneanother from a central point, which may include a post 206 forconnection to a levering tab 222 (shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C). Each scoredsection 220A or 220B may be forced inwards, fracturing the surface 212along the scored line, if the tab 222 is used as a lever to force itopen. The tab 222 may be rotated around post 206, as shown by arrows A,in order to select a scored section for opening.

As depicted, one scored section 220A is relatively smaller in comparisonto the other scored section 220B. This allows for selection between thetwo scored sections to determine the flow from the container. Forexample, the smaller scored section 220A may be selected by itself for aslower flow, as when dispensing a beverage for a child, and the largerscored section 220B may be selected alone, for a faster flow for anadult. For dispensing from the bottom surface 212, both scored sections220A and 220B may be selected, allowing for pouring through one of theopenings to occur more smoothly due to increased air flow into thecontainer. Where dispensing from the top aperture 106 (FIG. 1) isdesired, selection between the scored sections may be used to effect adesired flow rate by different amounts of air.

FIG. 3 depicts another arrangement for a bottom surface 312 havingmultiple openings. Two separate scored sections 320A and 320B may extendout from a central point, which may include a post 306 for connection toa levering tab 322. The scored sections 320A and 320B may be oriented atright angles to one another, requiring less rotation of the tab 322 forselection. It will be appreciated that any angular relationship betweenscored sections 320A and 320B may be used and that as many separatescored sections 320 as desired by the consumer and practicable forfitting on the surface 312 may be used.

FIGS. 4A through 4F depict another arrangement of a bottom surface 412of a container 40. As depicted in FIG. 4A, a bottom surface 412 may havemultiple openings. A first opening area 430A is defined by a scoredboundary 420A and is disposed within a larger second opening area 430Bdefined by a second scored boundary 420B. A gap 421A or 421B between theends of the respective scored boundary lines 420A or 420B connects theopening area 430A or 430B with the remainder of the bottom surface 412.

A post 406 is near the proximal edge of the larger second opening area430B. In embodiments featuring a round container 10, post 406 may bedisposed near the central point of the bottom surface 412. A leveringtab 422 may be disposed on post 422, which acts as a fulcrum duringlevering. The distal edge of levering tab 422 has a distal tab 424extending out past two shoulders 426, such that upon levering the rearportion 425 of the levering tab 422 upwards, the distal tab 424 willcontact the bottom surface 412 before shoulder 426.

Upon actuation, a user raises the rear portion 425 of levering tab 422upwards, forcing the distal edge downwards. Distal tab 424 contactsfirst opening area 430A, forcing it inwards and fracturing the surface412 along the scored line 420A opening the first opening. This is bestdepicted in FIG. 4D. If desired, the levering tab 422 may then bereturned to the unactuated position and the first opening used todispense the contents of container 40, as depicted in FIG. 4C.

If a larger opening is desired, the levering tab 422 may be leveredfurther forward, to engage the shoulder 426 of the distal edge with thesecond opening area 430B, forcing it inwards and fracturing the surface412 along scored line 420B, as depicted in FIG. 4F. The levering tab 422may then be returned to the unactuated position and the second openingused to dispense the contents of container 40, as depicted in FIG. 4E.

Since the first opening area 430A is relatively smaller in comparison tosecond opening area 430B, this allows for selection between the twoscored sections to determine the rate of flow from the container 40. Forexample, the smaller opening area 430A may be selected by itself for aslower flow, as when dispensing a beverage for a child, and the largeropening area 430B may be selected alone, as for a faster flow for anadult. Where dispensing from the top aperture 106 (FIG. 1) is desired,selection between the scored sections may be used to effect a desiredflow rate by different amounts of air.

Turning to FIG. 5, an exploded view of another embodiment in accordancewith the principles of the present invention is depicted. Container 50is depicted as having a generally columnar body 502 with a roundcross-section and a narrowed neck 504 leading to a top aperture 506. Thedistal end of neck 504 is threaded to accept counterpart threading on areplaceable bottle cap 507. Although depicted as having a roundcross-section, it will be appreciated that the container 50 may have anydesired cross-sectional shape, including polygons and irregularcross-sections.

Container 50 includes an open bottom 505, which is threaded to acceptcounterpart threading on a removable bottom cap 508, which may bereplaceable, and may generally form a base when attached. Bottom cap 508may include an outer ridge or rim 510 which forms a base for supportingthe container 50, when placed on a flat surface, such as a shelf ortable. Inside rim 510, the bottom cap 508 may be formed as a recessedflat surface 512 featuring at least one lower aperture 520 disposedthereon. As depicted, lower aperture 520 may be formed as a traditional“soda can” opening, featuring a scored section 521, which may be forcedinwards, fracturing the surface 512 along the scored line 523, as tab522 is used as a lever to force the lower aperture 520 open. It will beappreciated that bottom cap 508 may feature additional lower apertures,as discussed previously herein.

Use of a removable bottom cap 508 provides an additional method fordispensing liquids from the container 50. Where the container 50 is usedfor beverages, in addition to the other dispensing methods discussedpreviously herein, removing the bottom cap 508 by rotation may allow auser to drink the contents as from a cup, or to pour out the contentsfrom the larger opening. In other uses, the neck 504 of container 50 maybe used to dispense in a narrowed area, (which may involve opening loweraperture 520 to vent the dispensing, as discussed previously herein).Once the initial contents are dispensed through the opening 506, thecontainer 50 may remain in place and the bottom cap 508 may be removed,allowing container 50 to function as a funnel for directing thedispensing of additional flowable material therethrough.

FIG. 6 depicts a container 60 having a generally columnar body 602 witha round cross-section and a narrowed neck 604 leading to a distal end605. A proximal end 603 contains one or more accessible apertures, asdiscussed previously herein. Although depicted as having a roundcross-section, it will be appreciated that the container 60 may have anydesired cross-sectional shape, including polygons and irregularcross-sections.

A top aperture generally indicated at 606 is disposed on the distal end605 atop a threaded column 608. A plug 610 is disposed over top aperture606, connected to column 608 by several legs 612. A twist cap 614includes an opening 616 leading to a central channel 618. Channel 618 isthreaded (not shown) to accept the counterpart threading column 602,such that plug 610 resides in opening 616, sealing access to topaperture 608. It will be appreciated that the embodiment depicted inFIG. 6 illustrates a resealable twist closure and that other resealabletwist closures known to those of ordinary skill in the art may beutilized within the scope of the present invention.

The use of a resealable twist closure on the distal end of neck 604allows for further flexibility in using containers in accordance withthe present invention. For example, if a viscous fluid like motor oil issold in such containers, this allows users the option of emptying thecontainer rapidly without “gulping”, as in dispensing a first quart ofoil into a motor requiring several quarts (as previously discussedherein), while retaining the option of having a resealable opening whenneeded (as for the final bottle of oil, if the motor requires less thanan entire quart of oil to be filled). This type of closure with aconical cap may assist to funnel the dispensed contents. In someembodiments, this may even allow the container 60 to dispense thecontents dropwise, as from an oil can with a squeeze dispenser fordropwise dispensing, while retaining other dispensing options for auser.

While this invention has been described in certain embodiments, thepresent invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractices in the art to which this invention pertains.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A container for dispensing a liquid in multiplefashions, the container comprising: a container body having a narrowedneck at a first end and a base at an opposite second end; an upperaperture disposed at the distal end of the narrowed neck; and at least afirst lower aperture disposed in the base comprising at least a firstscored section, which may be forced inwards towards the first end,fracturing a surface of the base along a first scored line.
 22. Thecontainer of claim 21, further comprising a second lower aperturedisposed in the base comprising a second scored section, which may beforced inwards, fracturing a surface of the base along a second scoredline.
 23. The container of claim 21, further comprising a post disposedon the base; and a levering tab disposed on the post, positioned suchthat actuating a rear portion of the levering tab away from the baseforces a distal portion of the tab towards the first end.
 24. Thecontainer of claim 23, wherein the post is disposed at a mid-point ofthe base with the at least a first scored section and the second scoredsection disposed at an angle with respect to one another around themid-point of the base, and the at least a first lower aperture and thesecond lower aperture can be selected by rotating the levering tabaround the post.
 25. The container of claim 24, wherein the at least afirst scored section and the second scored section are disposed oppositeone another around the mid-point of the base.
 26. The container of claim22, wherein the at least a first scored section is larger than thesecond scored section.
 27. The container of claim 26, wherein the secondscored section is disposed within the at least a first scored section.28. The container of claim 27, wherein the distal portion of thelevering tab includes a distal edge extending past at least oneshoulder, such that actuating the rear portion of the levering tab awayfrom the base forces the distal edge towards the first end to fracturethe second scored section, opening the second lower aperture, andcontinued actuation forces the at least one shoulder towards the firstend to fracture the at least a first scored section, opening the atleast a first lower aperture.
 29. The container of claim 21, wherein theupper aperture is closed by a crown cap crimped to the narrowed neck.30. The container of claim 21, wherein the narrowed neck is threaded forattachment to a cap.
 31. The container of claim 21, wherein a resealabletwist closure is disposed at the distal end of the narrowed neck forclosure of the upper aperture.
 32. The container of claim 21, wherein abottom portion of the container is threaded for replaceable removal ofthe base.
 33. The container of claim 21, wherein the container isconstructed of aluminum.
 34. The container of claim 21, wherein the baseat an opposite second end comprises an outer ridge and a recessedsurface.
 35. An end for a beverage container, comprising a surfaceforming an end of a beverage container having a first side outside thecontainer; at least a first aperture disposed in the surface comprisingat least a first section, which may be forced inwards, creating anopening through the surface along a first line; a second aperturedisposed in the surface comprising a second section, which may be forcedinwards, creating an opening through the base along a second line; apost disposed on the surface; and an opening tab disposed on the post,positioned such that actuating a rear portion of the opening tab awayfrom the surface forces a distal portion of the tab towards the surface,such that actuating the rear portion of the levering tab away from thesurface forces the distal portion towards the container to fracture thesecond scored boundary line, opening the second aperture, and a secondactuation of the levering tab forces the distal portion to fracture thefirst scored boundary line, opening the first aperture to create alarger opening in the surface.
 36. The end for a beverage container ofclaim 35, wherein the at least a first aperture disposed in the surfacecomprising at least a first section, which may be forced inwards,creating an opening through the surface along a first line comprises afirst scored section defined by a first scored boundary line partiallyencircling the at least a first aperture from a first end to a secondend and defining a first gap on the surface between the second end andthe first end, which may be forced inwards, fracturing the surface alongthe first scored boundary line as the surface at the first gap is bentinward; and the second aperture disposed in the surface comprising asecond section, which may be forced inwards, creating an opening throughthe base along a second line comprises a second scored section definedby a second scored boundary line partially encircling the seconddispensing aperture from a first end thereof to a second end thereof anddefining a second gap on the surface between the second and first endsof the scored boundary line, which may be forced inwards, fracturing thesurface along the second scored boundary line as the surface at thesecond gap is bent inward.
 37. The end for a beverage container of claim36, wherein the opening tab disposed on the post includes a distal edgeextending past at least one shoulder, such that actuating a rear portionof the opening tab away from the surface forces the distal edge towardsthe surface to fracture the second scored boundary line, opening thesecond aperture, and continued actuation of the levering tab forces theshoulder towards the surface to fracture the first scored boundary line,opening the first aperture to create a larger opening in the surface.38. The end for a beverage container of claim 37, wherein the distaledge extending past the at least one shoulder of the levering tab ispositioned, such that actuating the levering tab to move the rearportion thereof back towards the surface after opening the seconddispensing aperture removes the distal edge of the levering tab from thesecond dispensing aperture such that a distal end of the seconddispensing opening is accessible distal to the levering tab.
 39. The endfor a beverage container of claim 36, wherein the second scored sectionis disposed within the first scored section.
 40. The end for a beveragecontainer of claim 39, wherein the second scored section is disposedwithin the first scored section such that the second gap is within thearea defined by the first scored boundary line and is distal to thefirst gap.